Chromones (4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones) are one of the most
abundant groups of naturally occurring oxygen containing heterocyclic
compounds possessing a benzo-γ-pyrone framework, 1a. The
significance of these widely spread and highly diverse compounds
is far beyond the important biological functions they assume in
nature [1, 2].
Natural and synthetic chromone derivatives have been assigned
as lead structures in drug development with some already being
marketed [3]. The majority of the naturally occurring chromones
are 2- and 3-aryl derivatives, called flavones 1b and isoflavones 1c,
respectively. However, other types of chromones have also been
found in the plant kingdom, such as 3-methylchromones 1d and 2-
styrylchromones 1e (Fig. 1).
University of Aveiro, Fundação para
a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), European Union, QREN,
FEDER and COMPETE for funding the QOPNA Research Unit.
